Engine-governor



2. SheetsSheet 1,

(No Model.)

M. A. GREEN. ENGINE GOVERNOR.

Patented Dec. 16.1890,

u/nw V ATTORNEYS (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. A. GREEN. ENGINE GOVERNOR.

N0. 442,774. Patented 'Dec. 16. 1890.

NITED STATES ATENT rrrcn.

MARTIN ASBURY GREEN, OF ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ENGINE-GOVERNOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 442,774, dated December16, 1890.

Application filed uly 31, 1890- Serial No. 360,513. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTIN ASBURY GREEN, of Altoona, in the county ofBlair and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and ImprovedEngine-Governor, of which the fol lowing is a specification, referencebeing had to the annexed drawings, 'formin g a part thereof, in whichFigure l is a side elevation, partly in section, of my improvedengine-governor. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section. Fig. 3 is adiagrammatic view illustrating the action of the auxiliary spring. Fig.at is a detail front elevation of a portion of the weight-arm. Fig. 5 isa detail view of the spring-support. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of thespring adjustingblock, and Fig. '7 is a side sectional elevation of theauxiliary spring adjusting mechanism.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

My invention relates to the class of steamengine governors known asfly-wheel governors, or those which comprise a laterallymovableeccentric upon the crank-shaft of the engine, and centrifugal weightsoperating in connection with centripetal springs to vary the position ofthe eccentric, so as to regulate the movements of the valve, therebyproducing a uniform speed in the engine.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved construction insuch governors whereby the force exerted by the springs may be readilyand accurately adjusted with reference to the opposing force exerted bythe centrifugal weights; and the invention consists in mattershereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

The weight-arm A is pivoted on the stud to, entering the fly-wheel B. Aweight-arm O is pivoted on the stud Z), which enters the wheel 13, andthe arms A C carry at their free ends the weights D D. The arm A isprolonged beyond its pivot and connected with the arm 0 by the link 0,so that as the weights swing outwardly the arms A C are made to act inunison. To the boss of the arm A is attached an arm E, which carries theeccentric F, the said eccentric being slotted to receive the main shaftG. A strap surrounding the eccentric F is connected with theengine-valve in the usual way.

The arm A is provided with a socket H, in

which is pivoted a lever I upon the pin (1. The arm I carries a weightJ, and is adjustable in the socket by the set-screws e e. The weight Jtends to oppose the action of the Weights D more or less, according toits position relative to the said weights, this position being changedby means of the set-screws c. In the arm A is formed a mortise K, towhich is fitted a sliding block L, having the screwthreaded aperture fand the mortise g, the said mortise being flared each way from thecenter of the block.

In a cap M, secured to the arm A, over the mortise K, is journaled anadj llStlllg-SCI'GW h, which passes through the threaded aperture f ofthe sliding block L. A slightly-curved leaf-spring N passes through aslot in the cap M, and is bent over and secured by a tapbolt 1). Theleaf-spring N is formed by doubling a bar of steel so as to form a loopj for receiving a bolt 19, which passes through a pair of links Z,attached to a double spiral spring 0, connected adj ustably with thethreaded rod P, held by one end by the socket 191, attached to the rimof the wheelB. The spring 0 is formed by bending a steel rod in thecenter into a loop for receiving the link Z, afterward winding the endsof the spring simultaneously, and, finally, forming its extremities intoloops for receiving the rod or adjusting-screw P. The spring 0 is madeadjustable on the rod P by nuts 11, placed on opposite sides of theloops.

here my improved governor is used upon the end of the shaft, a crank-pinis substituted for the eccentric F.

It is found in governors of this class that to get fine regulation thesprings have to be of high temper and are required to be drawn to a hightension when the governor is at rest, so that they will increase inforce as the weights increase in centrifugal force as they move outward.It is possible to accomplish this by usinga spring of sufficiently hightemper, and by making a proper adjustment, so that the springs andweights are properly related to each other; but as no two springs aretempered alike,or increase in force alike, and as the friction of themechanism of the governor is not always the same, there are points ofadjustment that cannot be met by springs and weights alone, and agovernor of this class where the fine point of regulation is reachedwithout the use of adaslrpot or some other means of steadying thegovernor is impracticable, and the weights will remain in their innerposition until the engine has reached a high rate of speed, when theywill quickly go to their outward position, cutting the steam off andallowing the engine to slow down below its normal speed before steam isagain admitted.

By means of the adjustable block L, which travels along the spring N,two important results are secured. Vhen the governor is at rest, asshown in Fig. 1, the spring N is bent at its fulcrum in the block L, sothat when the engine is started the said spring N tends to straightenitself, thus acting in conjunction with the centrifugal force of theweights D, starting the weights outward. Wheu the weights D have movedoutward a short distance, the spring N resists the action of theweights, thus opposing the centrifugal force of the governor. Theseopposite effects of the spring N are necessary to secure closeregulation.

By the use of the adjustable block L, which slides along the spring N,the point of fulcrum is changed so as to stiffen the spring N as theblock is moved toward the main spring 0, so as to increase the leverageof the spring over the weights D. IVhen the block is moved in theopposite direction, the reverse effect is produced. By this method theuse of a medium-tempered spring is made possible.

By means of the increased leverage from Q to R, as shown in Fig. 3, thespring oven comes the increased centrifugal force of the weights as theymove outward and permits of adjusting the block L to a point where thepower of the spring over the weights is such as to secure perfectregulation and steady movement. hen the block L is moved back to thepoint S, the spring-line is at the point 0, and when the weights havemoved to their outer position the fulcrum-point is moved to T; but ithas only increased in leverage on the weights about one-third as much aswhen the fulcrum-point was adjusted at Q.

I have mentioned but two extreme points of adjustment; but the block Lmaybe moved in either direction as may be required to secure the properregulation Without changing the length or tension of the main spring 0.By this method each governor maybe perfectly adjusted to suit the temperof the opposing spring, and a point of nicety may be reached where thecentrifugal force is exactly overcome by the centrifugal force of thespring. This will secure perfect regula tion and steadiness of motion.

The weight J plays an important part in the action of the governor, foras the weights D increase in centrifugal force the centrifugal force ofthe weight J becomes less, and thus assists the spring 0. The weights Dare made hollow and of oblong form, and are filled with lead to such anextent asto secure the desired action in the governor. To permit of theintroduction of the 1ead,'the hollow weights D are provided withscrew-plugs 0.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In an engine-governor, the combination, with thecentrifugal weights, of a double-acting spring adapted to act with theweights when starting outward and to oppose the movement of the Weightsas the limit of engine speed is approximated, substantially asspecified.

2. In an engine-governor, the combination, with the centrifugalweights,of a spring for opposing the centrifugal action of the weights, and anauxiliary spring adapted to act with the weights when starting outwardand to oppose the movement of the weights as the limit of engine speedis approximated, substantially as specified.

3. In an engine-governor, the combination, with the centrifugal weights,of a spring for opposing the centrifugal action of the weights, anauxiliary spring adapted to act with the weights when starting outwardand to oppose themovement of the weights at the limit of the enginespeed, and means, substantially as described, for adjusting theauxiliary sprin 4. In an engine-governor, the combination, with thecentrifugal weights, of an auxiliary weight adjustable independently ofthe eccentrio and adapted to offer opposition t0' -the movement of thecentrifugal weights, substantially as specified.

5. In an engine-governor, the combination, with the centrifugal weights,of an opposing spring formed of two parallel helical coils having acommon axis, whereby to prevent in a measure the deflection of thespring and to preserve its true alignment, substantlally as specified.

6. In an engine-governor, the combination,

with the weight-arm A, provided with the mortise K, of the slotted capM, sliding block L, spring N, and adj ust-ing-screw h, substantially asspecified.

7. In an engine-governor, the combination of the arms having centrifugalweights, connections between said arms, an eccentric supported upon oneof said arms, and an auxiliary weight having its support connected withone of said arms and adjustable substantially as described, whereby itmay be set to oppose the centrifugal movement of the weights and thedegree of its opposition may be regulated, substantially as set forth.

8. In an engine-governor, the combination of the arms having centrifugalweights and connections between said arms, the auxiliary weight, thesupport I for said weight, pivoted at d to one of the said arms, wherebythe said support may be adjusted, and devices for securing the supportin its different ad j ustments, substantially as set forth.

10. In an engine-governor, the combination ro of the weight-arms A O,the adjustable spring N, the spring 0, threaded rod P, andadjusting-nuts n a, substantially as specified.

MARTIN ASBURY GREEN.

Witnesses:

CHAS. W. KNIGHT, W. D. COUCH.

